The Rudolph Fire Department extinguishes a structure fire outside the village of Junction City in 2008. Fire department leaders say it's challenging to find new volunteers.

Written by

Fighting fires and responding to medical emergencies can be a difficult job, but many in charge of central Wisconsin fire departments say their most difficult task is recruiting members.

Although most fire departments in central Wisconsin that aren't full-time departments give members some pay for going on calls, it's not enough to qualify as a part-time job, said Amherst Fire District Chief Victor Voss. It makes keeping enough people available to respond to calls difficult, Voss said.